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<p><span style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_MSFontService, -apple-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Hi Seun,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_MSFontService, -apple-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Mentorship and beginner materials could be useful, provided they remain optional and do not become a separate
waiting room for unfamiliar or dissenting participants.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_MSFontService, -apple-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">As you noted, many people learn by following and participating in the RPD itself. No one should first have to
prove expertise or satisfy an established circle that their interest serves the “common good.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_MSFontService, -apple-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The PDP should remain one open discussion. Participation may include questions, evidence, support, warning,
or objection. It should not be divided into senior voices who decide and beginners who are sent elsewhere to learn.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_MSFontService, -apple-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Regards,<br>
Nonhlanhla </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_MSFontService, -apple-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span><span style="font-family: Aptos, Aptos_MSFontService, -apple-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"><br>
</span></p>
<hr style="display:inline-block;width:98%" tabindex="-1">
<div id="divRplyFwdMsg" dir="ltr"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size:11pt" color="#000000"><b>From:</b> rpd-request@afrinic.net <rpd-request@afrinic.net><br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, 23 July 2026 08:38:12<br>
<b>To:</b> rpd@afrinic.net <rpd@afrinic.net><br>
<b>Subject:</b> RPD Digest, Vol 222, Issue 179</font>
<div> </div>
</div>
<div class="BodyFragment"><font size="2"><span style="font-size:11pt;">
<div class="PlainText">Send RPD mailing list submissions to<br>
rpd@afrinic.net<br>
<br>
To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit<br>
<a href="https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd">https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd</a><br>
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to<br>
rpd-request@afrinic.net<br>
<br>
You can reach the person managing the list at<br>
rpd-owner@afrinic.net<br>
<br>
When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific<br>
than "Re: Contents of RPD digest..."<br>
<br>
<br>
Today's Topics:<br>
<br>
1. Re: RDP Discussion (Ben Roberts - AfriNIC)<br>
2. Re: RDP Discussion (Nonjabulo Sphilile)<br>
3. Re: RDP Discussion (Seun Ojedeji)<br>
<br>
<br>
----------------------------------------------------------------------<br>
<br>
Message: 1<br>
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:16:43 +0200<br>
From: Ben Roberts - AfriNIC <ben.roberts@afrinic.net><br>
To: Petronella NP <NPertuniaPetronella@outlook.com><br>
Cc: rpd@afrinic.net<br>
Subject: Re: [rpd] RDP Discussion<br>
Message-ID: <2A5EA893-CF14-4C5E-BA39-EDF1233C16AD@afrinic.net><br>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"<br>
<br>
Noted and fully understood. <br>
Sent from my iPhone<br>
<br>
> On 23 Jul 2026, at 08:13, NP Petronella <NPertuniaPetronella@outlook.com> wrote:<br>
> <br>
> ?<br>
> Dear Ben,<br>
> You are drawing more from my reply than it said.<br>
> <br>
> This is a public policy forum. Responding to a point does not mean I am answering for Mandla, speaking for NRS, or clarifying anyone?s affiliation. Mandla can answer for himself. I challenged the assumption that a person?s employment automatically turns an
individual contribution into an organisational position.<br>
> <br>
> Open participation means participants may engage with arguments wherever they appear in the discussion. Unless someone expressly claims authorisation to represent an organisation, their contribution should be treated as their own.<br>
> <br>
> Please do not convert ordinary participation into inferred affiliations or relationships. Let us return to the policy.<br>
> <br>
> Regards,<br>
> Nonhlanhla<br>
> <br>
> <br>
> From: Ben Roberts - AfriNIC <ben.roberts@afrinic.net><br>
> Sent: Thursday, 23 July 2026 08:08:40<br>
> To: Petronella NP <NPertuniaPetronella@outlook.com><br>
> Cc: rpd@afrinic.net <rpd@afrinic.net><br>
> Subject: Re: [rpd] RDP Discussion<br>
> <br>
>> Nonhlanhla,<br>
>> <br>
> My mail was clearly and unequivocally addressed to Mandla asking him a valid question.
<br>
> <br>
> It was not a general point for discussion, so there was no need to answer for him. But thanks for stepping in to clarify affiliations. We now fully understand.
<br>
> <br>
> Kind regards<br>
> Ben<br>
> <br>
> Sent from my iPhone<br>
> <br>
>>> On 23 Jul 2026, at 07:51, NP Petronella <NPertuniaPetronella@outlook.com> wrote:<br>
>>> <br>
>> ?<br>
>> Hi Ben,<br>
>> <br>
>> You certainly make a lot of assumptions about people.<br>
>> <br>
>> No, I do not speak for Mandla or NRS. I responded to a general point on a public mailing list. Supporting another participant?s argument does not create an affiliation, agency relationship, or shared identity.<br>
>> <br>
>> Mandla?s job title also does not mean every contribution he makes is an assigned organisational statement. Unless he expressly says he is authorised to represent NRS, his contribution is his own. You may ask Mandla about his capacity, but you should not
invent one for either of us.<br>
>> <br>
>> That is the basic distinction between participation and representation. Please address the argument instead of constructing relationships between the people raising it.<br>
>> <br>
>> Regards,<br>
>> Nonhlanhla<br>
>> <br>
>> <br>
>> <br>
>> <br>
>> <br>
>> From: Ben Roberts - AfriNIC <ben.roberts@afrinic.net><br>
>> Sent: Thursday, 23 July 2026 07:45:30<br>
>> To: Petronella NP <NPertuniaPetronella@outlook.com><br>
>> Cc: rpd@afrinic.net <rpd@afrinic.net><br>
>> Subject: Re: [rpd] RDP Discussion<br>
>> <br>
>> Nonhlanhla,<br>
>> <br>
>> Can I assume you know Mandla and/or NRS well enough to speak on his or their behalf. ?<br>
>> <br>
>> He has clearly stated that he is a policy insights contributor at NRS. So if he then contributes policy insights, you can see why it appears that he is doing is assigned job for his employer ?
<br>
>> <br>
>> Kind regards<br>
>> Ben<br>
>> <br>
>> Previous message from Mandla?<br>
>> <br>
>> Good day,<br>
>> <br>
>> Mandla,Policy insights contributor at NRS.<br>
>> <br>
>> Regards <br>
>> _______________________________________________<br>
>> RPD mailing list<br>
>> RPD@afrinic.net<br>
>> <a href="https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd">https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd</a><br>
>> <br>
>> <br>
>> Sent from my iPhone<br>
>> <br>
>>> On 23 Jul 2026, at 07:36, NP Petronella <NPertuniaPetronella@outlook.com> wrote:<br>
>>> <br>
>>> ?<br>
>>> Dear Ben,<br>
>>> <br>
>>> Mandla?s position is straightforward. AFRINIC?s PDP is open to anyone and imposes no qualification for participation. A contributor does not automatically represent their employer merely because an affiliation is known.
<br>
>>> <br>
>>> Unless Mandla expressly states that he is authorised to speak for NRS, his contribution is his own. Employment is context, not a power of attorney.<br>
>>> <br>
>>> Assuming otherwise confuses participation with representation and suggests a misunderstanding of how an open PDP works. Please assess Mandla?s argument as Mandla?s argument.<br>
>>> <br>
>>> Regards,<br>
>>> Nonhlanhla <br>
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Message: 2<br>
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:23:28 +0200<br>
From: Nonjabulo Sphilile <nonjabulosphilile@gmail.com><br>
To: rpd@afrinic.net<br>
Subject: Re: [rpd] RDP Discussion<br>
Message-ID:<br>
<CAJwHbZMqmbPZwq1b=SE7R8-7nqHG6W5o191zU59Moo9CrgugGQ@mail.gmail.com><br>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"<br>
<br>
Dear Ben,<br>
<br>
I believe in open participation. That means contributors speak for<br>
themselves unless they expressly state that they are authorised to<br>
represent an organisation.<br>
<br>
Mandla?s affiliation with NRS provides context, not a mandate. Assuming<br>
every employee speaks for their organisation confuses participation with<br>
representation and turns an open PDP into a contest between institutions.<br>
<br>
Please assess Mandla?s contribution as his own.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
Nonjabulo<br>
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<br>
Message: 3<br>
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:37:42 +0200<br>
From: Seun Ojedeji <seun.ojedeji@gmail.com><br>
To: Frank Habicht <geier@geier.ne.tz><br>
Cc: rpd <rpd@afrinic.net><br>
Subject: Re: [rpd] RDP Discussion<br>
Message-ID:<br>
<CAD_dc6jS82uE67CCtt9jdXgzVJUxqHr9u8kFRPRn_5kWVug7Dg@mail.gmail.com><br>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"<br>
<br>
----<br>
Sent from my mobile<br>
kindly excuse typos<br>
<br>
On Thu, 23 Jul 2026, 7:46?am Frank Habicht, <geier@geier.ne.tz> wrote:<br>
<br>
> Hi.<br>
><br>
> On 7/23/2026 8:36 AM, NP Petronella wrote:<br>
> > Dear Ben,<br>
> ><br>
> > Mandla?s position is straightforward. AFRINIC?s PDP is open to anyone<br>
> > and imposes no qualification for participation. A contributor does not<br>
> > automatically represent their employer merely because an affiliation is<br>
> > known.<br>
><br>
> I start wondering if we need a separate group - with only a subset of<br>
> participants - where this kind of (repeated) lecturing about what the<br>
> PDP is will be welcome.<br>
><br>
<br>
<br>
SO: On the above the community list could serve that purpose plus staff can<br>
come up with a PDP for beginner content and maybe a mailing list for those<br>
genuinely interested in learning to subscribe. A mentorship program<br>
targeted to PDP may come handy as well<br>
<br>
If all that is an overkill, the rpd is still a good avenue to learn about<br>
PDP, a lot of us learnt by following the rpd. The question is, are there<br>
people genuinely interested in learning for the common good.<br>
<br>
Regards<br>
<br>
><br>
><br>
> I was working under the assumption that members of this mailing list<br>
> already know that the PDP is open.<br>
><br>
> as to the original question, which somehow was not quoted: a question<br>
> was asked by Ben and one answer by one person with one statement was<br>
> sufficient.<br>
><br>
> No. I'm not trying to moderate. I just hope for a better signal/noise<br>
> ratio. And if this here email results in more noise, i have failed.<br>
><br>
> Frank<br>
><br>
><br>
><br>
> > Unless Mandla expressly states that he is authorised to speak for NRS,<br>
> > his contribution is his own. Employment is context, not a power of<br>
> attorney.<br>
> ><br>
> > Assuming otherwise confuses participation with representation and<br>
> > suggests a misunderstanding of how an open PDP works. Please assess<br>
> > Mandla?s argument as Mandla?s argument.<br>
> ><br>
> > Regards,<br>
> > Nonhlanhla<br>
> ><br>
> > _______________________________________________<br>
> > RPD mailing list<br>
> > RPD@afrinic.net<br>
> > <a href="https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd">https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd</a><br>
><br>
><br>
> _______________________________________________<br>
> RPD mailing list<br>
> RPD@afrinic.net<br>
> <a href="https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd">https://lists.afrinic.net/mailman/listinfo/rpd</a><br>
><br>
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Subject: Digest Footer<br>
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_______________________________________________<br>
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End of RPD Digest, Vol 222, Issue 179<br>
*************************************<br>
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